James John Cafe in St. Johns to Close by Christmas

Suzanne Bozarth has had a difficult year, and it has just gotten worse. You may know her from Paley’s Place where she was the bar manager for several years, before opening James John Cafe at 8527 N Lombard in Portland. Diagnosed this summer with breast cancer, Suzanne had to undergo a double mastectomy. At the time, the restaurant community rallied around her by hosting a fundraising dinner to help pay the medical bills.

When she was able, Suzanne went back to running JJ Cafe, but was told a few weeks ago that the landlord will not renew the lease. She has to be out the space by Christmas.

I’m sorry to hear about the shop owner’s troubles, but the cafe itself was a disappointment. Rude staff and terrible drinks. The food was decent, but overpriced and very small portions. Why is it everytime a business closes it has to be the landlord’s fault? Maybe the business just wasn’t making enough money and, as the cost in St John’s rises, they weren’t able to keep up due to the cafe being mediocre at best. Do you honestly think that if James John’s Cafe was doing well and could keep paying rent they would have closed? Even if the landlord is preparing to sell the building, having a steady tenant in the building is a good thing.